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Hike the Millbrook Mountain/Gertrude Nose loop

Gardiner, New York

Details

Distance

9 miles

Elevation Gain

1700 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by John Maurizi

A beautiful loop hike. Travel through a pine forest, blueberry lined path and an exposed ridge trail. This loop has it all!

This great loop hike starts from the upper parking lot of Lake Minnewaska State Park. Walk towards Lake Minnewaska and once on that carriage road, turn left and follow the road to the to the opposite end of the lake. Along the way are great view points of the lake and several picnic areas for day use. Once you arrive at the far end of the lake, you are at lake level.  Here, you will see the sign for the Millbrook Mountain Trail. This trail is marked with red blazes and is difficult. In total it is about 1.2 miles and during the right time of year, you will often find a healthy supply of blueberry's (unless the bears get to them first). The trail gradually descends until you reach the Coxing Kill.  The nice mountain stream is a good place for a break and some photos. After crossing the stream, the trail climbs steadily and steeper until you reach an intersection with the Coxing Trail.  At this point, turn left onto the Coxing trail.

The Coxing Trail is about 2 miles long and is on the property of the Mohonk Preserve. This trail links the Millbrook Mountain Trail to the Trapps Carriage rd. There is a sign when leaving Minnewaska State Park that you should pay a $12 fee when entering the Mohonk Preserve. However, this trail is very far from any check point and you are on the trail only for a brief time. The trail is marked with blue blazes and offers no views. However, it will give access to the Millbrook Ridge Trail.  After about 15 minutes you will reach another intersection with the Millbrook Cross Path.  Turn right here and take the Millbrook Cross Path to the Millbrook Ridge Trail.

The Millbrook Ridge Trail offers great views of NewPaltz, the Shawangunk Ridge and the Hudson Valley.  Turn right when at the Millbrook Ridge trail and follow the ridge back along Millbrook Mountain.  The Ridge trail returns to Lake Minnewaska State Park where the Millbrook Mountain Carriage road ends.  This is a popular place for lunch, with exposed rock slabs and amazing views.

After a break, continue along the ridge on the Gertrude Nose Trail marked with red blazes.  This is an outstanding section of the hike. Gertrude's Nose trail is 2.7 miles and you will follow this to the end where it turns into the Millbrook Mountain Carriage Road.

Walk back along the Millbrook Mountain Carriage road.  It will return you to Lake Minnewaska and back to the parking area. This loop is about 9 miles and very popular in summer and fall.  To enter Minnewaska State Park, there is a $10 fee per vehicle.  Parking lots fill up fast, especially during peak seasons (summer and fall).

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Features

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